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Australia

Daughter of Patrick Joseph and Annie O'NEILL
Of West Kempsey, MacLeay River
Trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW

Nurse Nance O'Neill, who has recently been awarded the Royal Red Cross for her services at
the front, was trained at St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst. Offering herself for military service abroad at the very outset of the war, Miss O'Neill was appointed Theatre Sister at the Garrison
Military Hospital, Sydney. From there she was transferred to Lemnos, and thence to France,
where she is still carrying on her labour of love. This is the second nurse in connection with St. Vincent's who has been thus honoured, Nurse Marie Macken having been awarded, a short
time previously, the Royal Red
Cross of the First Class.

Freeman's Journal Thursday 25 January 1917 page 20

A Military Wedding.
Mr. P. J. O'Neill received a cablegram from Edinburgh
this morning (Thursday)conveying the intimation that his daughter, Sister Nance O'Neill, was
married on July 4th to Captain Reg. Downing, formerly ofSydney. Sister O'Neill left Australia
over three years ago in the troopship Mooltan,with Colonel-Surgeon Fiaschi, and served in
Egypt, was present at the opening of Lemnos Hospital, and afterwards served in No. 3
Australian General Hospital, then went to Brighton Hospital, England, and afterwards to
France. For her splendidservices she was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace
with the order of the Royal Red Cross. She has practically been right through the four
zones of the war, namely, Gallipoli, France, Lemnos, and England. Captain Downing left
Australia over three years ago, and won his commission on the field, and also gained the M.M. decoration for distinguished service in the field. Prior to the war he held the position of Master of Agriculture, in the Agricultural Department, and is beloved by the men under him. He has been wounded twice. — ' Macleay Argus.'We will all join in wishing abounding good fortune and happiness to Captain Downing and his bride. The popular and handsome Sister Nance O'Neill is well known to a large circle of friends in this district, and her gracious and winning personality proved an invaluable asset in the nursing service. Writing from France on March 10th last, Quartermaster-Sergeant E. K. Pountney says of her : — 'Have not seen Sister Nance O'Neill yet, as she is away on leave. Strange to say, I had the Captain Quartermaster of the 12th Field Ambulance in this morning. We started talking of Peninsula and Lemnos Island days, and in the course of conversation I asked him if he happened to know a Sister Nance O'Neill. He replied, ' Of course I do ! ' He then went on to say that she was absolutely adored by patients and all others connected with hospital work. He was quite surprised to hear that she was now stationed close by here. He mentioned how down-hearted all the staff at Lemnos were during the critical days of Nance O'Neill's illness— when she was expected to go under. He said it was only good fortune and the best of medical and nursing attendance that pulled her through, though at the time it was thought their efforts would prove of little avail. I will try and go along and see her before going on leave on the 17th inst.

Port Macquarie News and Hasting River Advocate 27 July 1918 page 5

Captain R. G. Downing, M.C. with Bar, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), has been recently appointed acting-senior experimentalist to the Board of Agriculture. Leaving Australia with the A.I.F. as a, non-com., he fought in France and was awarded the M.C. and promoted lieutenant for excellent work in connection with a machine-gun section. Later on, being severely wounded in an engagement, he had to spend several months in a military hospital recovering. Having recovered, he rejoined his regiment and was a Awarded a bar to his M.C. and promoted captain for able leadership in an engagement near Amiens. While in England he married Miss Nance O'Neill, of Kempsey, who was awarded a Red Cross decoration for specially able services as a hospital nurse in connection with the A.I.F. in France. Captain Downey was educated at St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill.

The Freeman's Journal Thursday 04 September 1919 page 22

Annie Emily O’NEILL (known as Nance) was born on the 18th of October 1887 at Manning River, Taree, NSW, the daughter of Patrick Joseph O’NEILL and Annie Mary HOUGH, who married in Stroud, NSW on the 28/12/1885.  Annie died in May 1932 at Kempsey, aged 67.  Patrick, (Butcher, Publican, Grazier, and Mayor of Kempsey 1919) died in Jul 1947, a few weeks before his 90th birthday.

Siblings: Catherine E b.22/9/1886 Taree – (Sister Mary Clare, St Joseph’s Convent, Merewether); Mary I b.1889 Taree; (born Port Macquarie): Ita Florence b.5/10/1891 – marr Frahn H MOSES 1920 Kempsey – d.30/6/1975; Leonora Maud b.1896; Cecelia b.1897 – marr Richard P HAYES 1924 Kempsey; Eileen b.1898 – marr Thomas J ASHBY 1928 Kempsey; Cyril Francis b.1900; Joseph Dominic b.1902 – WW2; (twins) Rita E b.1905 – marr James B REILLY 1929 Sydney; Marie Ursula b.1905 – marr NEWLEY – d.1976; Clare b.1907 – (UM 1932); Patrick C b.&d.1909; Jack

Religion: Roman Catholic

Nance trained in nursing at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, and Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney.  She also nursed at Hastings District Hospital, and was at Port Macquarie Hospital when she enlisted.

WW1 Service:
Nance joined the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) on the 23rd of April 1915, and embarked at Sydney on the 15th of May on the RMS Mooltan with the 3rd Australian General Hospital (AGH) for England, en-route to France.  Following their arrival in England, plans were changed and towards the end of July they sailed instead for Egypt, where they embarked on the Glenluce Castle early August and proceeded to join the MEF Gallipoli, stationed at Mudros on the island of Lemnos.  Nance was on duty in one of the operating tents, and she wrote home that the 3rd AGH “had nearly 200 patients in the day they started work, and this number soon rose to about 800.” And “For the first few days we were all very upset at the sights we saw, not ever being used to the like.”

Before the month was out, on the 26th of August, she was admitted to the 3rd AGH with Amoebic Dysentery becoming seriously ill and not expected to survive.  It was later reported that “it was only good fortune and the best of medical and nursing attendance that pulled her through.”  On the 21st of October she boarded the Aquitania in charge of the run-down nurses being invalided to England for a change.  A Medical Board held in London on the 8th of November found her fit for General Service and she returned to duty at Mudros on the 3rd of December 1915.  Following the evacuation of Gallipoli and the eventual disbandment of the 3rd AGH on Lemnos, the staff returned to Egypt on the Oxfordshire and disembarked at Alexandria on the 27th of January 1916, where they were re-established in Abbassia.

Over the following months with most of the troops being sent to France, the hospitals in Egypt began to wind down and follow them.  When the newly formed 14th AGH arrived in Egypt in the September, they took over from the 3rd AGH, allowing them to also depart.  Embarking at Alexandria on the HS Karoola on the 25th of September, they arrived at Brighton, England on the 5th of October and took over the Kitchener War Hospital.

At the end of 1916 Nance was Mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette 1/12/1916] and awarded the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (ARRC) [London Gazette 29/12/1916].  She was presented with her Royal Red Cross by the King at Buckingham Palace on the 5th of February 1917.  She was then granted Leave from the 19th of February to the 4th of March, during which she spent some time in Scotland.

In April 1917 the 3rd AGH crossed to France, Nance and the nursing staff crossed the channel on the Londonderry on the 27th [not the 11th as noted in her record] and arrived at Abbeville on the 29th before being farmed out until the hospital was ready for them.  Nance’s record shows she was attached to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station (ACCS) at Abbeville on the 7th of May and rejoined the 3rd AGH on the 24th of May.  However, the 3rd ACCS was stationed at Grevillers during this time – approximately 92 kilometers away.  And the 3rd AGH War Diary actually states that the 90 nurses were split between No.1 South African Hospital (29), No.2 Stationary Hospital (15) and the remaining 46 to Treport.

On the 2nd of November 1917 Nance was posted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, which was situated between Bailleul and Outtersteene, in a location known as Tasmania Camp.  On the 24th of that month orders were received to reorganize the CCS into a Rest Station for the winter.  Nance was granted Leave to Cannes from the 28th of February to the 15th of March.  She was then temporarily posted to the 10th Stationary Hospital on the 12th of April, followed by the 15th CCS on the 15th, before rejoining the 1st ACCS on the 20th.  Nance was struck off strength of the 1st ACCS on the 24th of June 1918, as she was returning to England on Leave and to marry.  As per the regulations, she resigned her appointment on the 4th of July 1918 on account of her marriage.

Nance married Reginald George DOWNING, [Capt (MC&Bar), 54th Bn, AIF] on the 4th of July 1918 at the Roman Catholic Church in Finchley Road, Golders Green, London, England.  In the absence of her father, she was given away by Major Reginald Mack Gowing who was serving on the HQ Staff in London.

Following her marriage she nursed with the Red Cross until departing England on the 12th of December 1918.  Arriving home in February 1919, Nance was nursing influenza patients in Sydney when her husband returned in the July.

Children:
* John Neil DOWNING b.9/5/1920 Sydney – Veterinary Student, Sydney University – WW2 – Lieut, 2/17 Inf Bn – d.31/7/1941 Libya
* George Boyd DOWNING b.13/1/1924 Greenwich Point, NSW – WW2 – Flight Lieut, RAAF – marr Helen ROBERTS 4/1/1950 – d.26/10/2015, age 91
*Dorothy Mary b.c1925 – marr John CLOUSTON 1954 – d.19/8/2014, age 89

Living Henry St, Greenwich Point, NSW in 1920, 1924
Reg was Senior / Chief Experimentalist of the Department of Agriculture 1920 – resigned 1927
1927, 1930, 1933: Hotel Campsie, Beamish St, Campsie, NSW (Reg – Hotelkeeper)
1934, 1949: “Merton”, Obley Rd, Dubbo, NSW (Reg – Grazier)
Still at “Merton” in March 1954
1954: 48 Tamworth St, Dubbo (having bought the house in 1951) (Reg – Grazier)
1958, 1963: 4 Rosetta Ave, Killara, NSW (Reg – no occup)

The Dubbo and Wellington units of the 20/54th Battalion held a weekend training camp on part of the Merton property in June 1939, and 20 Sydney Legacy boys were treated to a camping holiday on the Merton farm in 1950.

Nance did Red Cross work during WW2, and she applied for Repat in 1959.
Living Cronulla 1967
Reginald died on the 1st of September 1967 at the St George District Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, aged 76. Following Reginald’s death, Nance was living at 8 / 35 The Esplanade, Cronulla 1968, 1972.

Nance died on the 2nd of August 1974 at Lochinvar, NSW, and was buried in the Northern Suburbs Lawn Cemetery (now Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium.

**************

The Raleigh Sun (Bellingen, NSW), Fri 23 Apr 1915 (p.6):
North Coast News
Nurse A. O’Neill, who is a daughter of Mr P. O’Neill, of Kempsey, and has been on duty at the Port Macquarie Hospital for some weeks past, has received an intimation that her application for a position of nurse at the war has been accepted, and she has been asked to report herself forthwith.

The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW), Sat 29 May 1915 (p.2):
Local and General News
COMPLIMENT TO A NURSE – Amongst those on board the s.s. Mooltan when she left Sydney one day recently was Nurse A.E. O’Neill, who goes to a base hospital for wounded soldiers near London. There were between 40 and 50 nurses on board in charge of a matron from Queensland. Dr Fiaschi, who is in charge of the medical corps, on the same ship, thought so well of Nurse O’Neill’s ability that he has selected her as head nurse (with title of “Sister”) for the hospital he goes to. This is a great compliment from the famous surgeon. Nurse O’Neill, who is a daughter of Mr and Mrs P.J. O’Neill of Kempsey, formerly of Beechwood, was recently on the staff of the Hastings District Hospital.

The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer (NSW), Wed 13 Oct 1915 (p.3):
At the Front
LETTER FROM NURSE O’NEILL
Writing on August 3 to her parents Mr and Mrs P.J. O’Neill, West Kempsey, Nurse Nance O’Neill stated that she was then on the hospital ship Glenluce Castle, on her way to Lemnos. They were glad to leave Alexandria, as the heat was very trying. A later communication stated they had arrived at No. 3 Hospital, Lemnos. They had nearly 200 patients in the day they started work, and this number soon rose to about 800. Sister O’Neill was on duty in one of the operating tents. The nurses slept in bell-tents, the site being about 40 yards from the waters of Mudros Bay. It was very pretty, with dozens of boats in the vicinity. They indulged in a swim daily; there was no surf, but a dip was very refreshing. Fresh water was then (August 15) very scarce, but a condenser was being fixed up; also pipes were being laid. Rather hot at midday, the weather was cool at night. Only condensed milk was obtainable. Butter was out of the question; rice, jam, tomatoes (and lemons for drink) were plentiful, and they got good mutton and bread. A dining-room was being built, but until then meals were taken around a bench. Huts were in course of erection, and things would soon improve. “We were really badly needed,” Sister O’Neill writes, “as the patients can be here within 24 hours after being wounded. Some are very badly wounded, yet are so brave! For the first few days we were all very upset at the sights we saw, not ever being used to the like. You never see anything like it in an ordinary hospital. We are the closest nurses to the front, except those on hospital ships, who go up to Gallipoli and bring the wounded to here and Egypt. I am delighted that we did not stay in Alexandria.”
Sister O’Neill wrote again on August 22, after she had been a fortnight at Lemnos. The flies were not then quite as bad as they had been. An Australian mail had arrived during the week, but she was disappointed as no letters got there for her. As her parents wrote every week, she could only think the letters must be somewhere about the country. A visit had been made by a party of nurses to one of the battleships in the bay, and the change appreciated. Amongst hospitals being erected was one by the Canadians. “Our equipment has arrived, thank goodness (the nurse states). We are all getting bedsteads to-day. We have been sleeping on the ground – lucky for me I am a good sleeper; some of the girls have had a rather bad time. We went for a walk a few nights ago to see the Turkish prisoners. About 200 in the camp we went to. They seem quite happy and like being there, as they say it is better than at the front and cannot understand why they are fighting. Only one of them could speak French, and not one English. The doctors are trying to bring a boat, and if they succeed, we shall often have a little pleasure, for the harbor is lovely, and it does one good to go out for a time. I believe it is very windy here at times. Next month it commences, and it is said that we will have to move five miles inland…. We are really not so very busy now, as most of the patients we have got lately are medical, and it is the surgical ones that affect the operating theatres.”

Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW), Fri 10 Dec 1915 (p.15):
From Lemnos to London
Mr and Mrs P.J. O’Neill have received a very interesting letter (dated Oct 22) from their daughter, Sister Nance O’Neill, who wrote with the coast of Sicily in view, and as she was on board the Hospital Ship “Aquitania,” a sister ship of the “Lusitania,” on her way from Lemnos to London, being in charge of nurses on board who were going away for a change from their constant work at Lemnos.
The vessel has nine decks, and can carry over 4000 patients, and about that number of men were on board. The ship is able to travel 28 miles an hour, and carried a crew of nearly 1000. They were going to Southampton, and expected to go to London for about a fortnight, do some shopping in connection with winter requirements at Lemnos, and then return to the latter place, the whole trip occupying about a month.
Sister O’Neill mentioned that she was well supplied with funds, so that there need be no worry on that score. She did not expect to be returning to London so soon. Sister O’Neill makes lengthy reference to the death of her sister Mary, the sad news of which she had just received. She couldn’t bring herself to realise it was true. She states that she expected to be back at Lemnos by the time her letter reached here.
In a letter to a sister, Sister O’Neill mentions that the Hospital ship could do the trip from Lemnos to England in seven days. A patient had lost his reason and jumped overboard when off the African coast, but was brought on board again.
Writing on October 27, just after arrival at Southampton, Nurse O’Neill said that the weather was very cold, but they were glad to reach port, as there were so many patients on board, making it rather uncomfortable. The nurses were all going into quarters in London during their stay.

The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer (NSW), Sat 4 Mar 1916 (p.4):
Personal
Writing to her parents, Mr and Mrs P.J. O’Neill, West Kempsey, on the eve of her departure from Lemnos, Sister O’Neill said the weather was cold and the winds severe. She sent a snapshot of herself packing up preparatory to leaving. In another letter posted later, Sister O’Neill stated she was on her way to Alexandria.

The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW), Sat 28 Apr 1917 (p.3):
Letter from Nurse O’Neill
Writing from the Kitchener Hospital, Brighton, on February 9, Nurse O’Neill says: –
“We had a great day on Monday, 5th February. We all had to go to Buckingham Palace to get our medals, R.R.C. We had to be at the palace at 10a.m., and when we finally got to the throne-room where the King was, we were all in a flutter. Anyway, the King was very nice to us, shook hands with each one, and hooked the Cross on. He spoke to some, and asked how long they had been out, what hospitals we came from, &c. We then had to proceed to Marlborough House to see Queen Alexandra – she is a dear old thing, and was extremely nice, shook hands with us, and gave us all a book and a picture book, ‘The Way of the Red Cross.’ I have read it; it just shows how the Red Cross has advanced since Florence Nightingale’s time. The picture is of herself, also a nurse attending a patient – very pretty. I wish you could see my Cross, it is so pretty, silver and red enamel. I had a snapshot taken with it on, so it will give you an idea of what it is like, as the snapshot is rather good. The night before I went to London it snowed very heavily – my picture is taken in the snow. In the afternoon I met a friend, who took me to lunch and a matinee of the Revue, ‘See-Saw’ – it was very good, so I think I had one of the best days of my life. We only wear the Cross on special occasions, but I am wearing the ribbon like the piece I sent you. I am splendid. Do not send me anything to eat, I get quite enough.”
A further communication, received by her parents, Mr and Mrs P.J. O’Neill, of West Kempsey, gives the additional information that Nurse O’Neill was then spending a few days in Scotland, and would almost immediately be proceeding to France. “Macleay Argus.”

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 16 Jul 1918:
FROM NEAR AND FAR
A cablegram has been received by Alderman P.J. O’Neill, of Kempsey, informing him that his daughter, Sister Nance O’Neill, was married on July 4 to Captain Reg. Downing, formerly of Sydney. Sister O’Neill left Australia over three years ago with Colonel Surgeon Fiaschi, and served in Egypt, and was present at the opening of the Lemnos Hospital, and afterwards served in No.3 Australian General Hospital, then went to Brighton Hospital, England, and afterwards to France. For her splendid services she was decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace with the Order of the Royal Red Cross. She has practically been right through the four zones of the war, namely Gallipoli, France, Lemnos, and England. Captain Downing left Australia over three years ago, and won his commission on the field, and also gained the MM [sic] decoration for distinguished service in the field. Prior to the war he held the position of Master of Agriculture in the Agricultural Department, and is beloved by the men under him. He has been wounded twice.

The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW), Sat 27 Jul 1918 (p.5):
A Military Wedding
Mr P.J. O’NEILL received a cablegram………………………
We will all join in wishing abounding good fortune and happiness to Captain Downing and his bride. The popular and handsome Sister Nance O’Neill is well-known to a large circle of friends in this district, and her gracious and winning personality proved an invaluable asset in the nursing service. Writing from France on March 10th last, Quartermaster-Sergeant R.K. Pountney says of her: – “Have not seen Sister Nance O’Neill yet, as she is away on leave. Strange to say, I had the Captain Quartermaster of the 12th Field Ambulance in this morning. We started talking of Peninsula and Lemnos Island days, and in the course of conversation I asked him if he happened to know a Sister Nance O’Neill. He replied, ‘Of course I do!’ He then went on to say that she was absolutely adored by patients and all others connected with hospital work. He was quite surprised to hear that she was now stationed close by here. He mentioned how down-hearted all the staff at Lemnos were during the critical days of Nance O’Neill’s illness – when she was expected to go under. He said it was only good fortune and the best of medical and nursing attendance that pulled her through, though at the time it was thought their efforts would prove of little avail. I will try and go along and see her before going on leave on the 17th inst.”

The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW), Sat 8 Feb 1919 (p.4):
Mrs Downing Home
Per Tuesday’s train there arrived from Sydney Mrs Downing, wife of Captain Downing, but better known in Kempsey as Nurse Nance O’Neill, a handsome daughter of Ald. P.J. O’Neill, who joined No.3 Australian General Hospital in May 1915. Since then she has tended the wounded and sick almost uninterruptedly in hospitals at Mudros, and in England, Egypt, and France, though a brief holiday gave her an opportunity to visit the beauty spots of Ireland. In January, 1917, his Majesty the King was pleased to confer the Order of the Royal Red Cross on Nurse O’Neill. Recently she married Captain Downing, and sailed from England on 12th December last. When the train arrived a large crowd of relatives and friends, headed by Mayor C.A. Lane, assembled on the platform to welcome her; and the members of the Girls’ Patriotic League lined up outside as a guard of honor. “Macleay Chronicle”

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 19 Feb 1919:
COUNTRY NEWS
KEMPSEY - ….. A welcome home was given to Mrs Downing, formerly Sister Nance O’Neill, a daughter of the Mayor, Alderman P.J. O’Neill. Sister O’Neill left Australia in May 1915, and nursed at Mudross (Egypt), [sic] England, and France till July 4, 1918, when she married Captain R.G. Downing, M.C., of Sydney. She nursed with the British Red Cross till she left for Australia in 1917. [sic] The Royal Red Cross was conferred on her by the King in recognition of her nursing services.

The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW), Wed 19 Feb 1919 (p.8):
Convent School, Kempsey
On Friday afternoon last the pupils of the Convent School tendered a warm “welcome home” to Nurse Nance O’Neill (Mrs Downing).
Rev Father Gunn, who regretted being unavoidably absent from the Welcome Home of the Girls’ League the evening before, welcomed, on behalf of the Rev Mother, the Sisters and children, the popular Nurse who had so distinguishedly fulfilled the duties of her noble calling. He hoped that long years of happiness and peace would be the reward of her heroic labors.
Rev Father O’Regan, of Smithtown, expressed his pleasure in being present to welcome home Nurse O’Neill, whom he had known from childhood. He was not at all surprised she had won the Royal Red Cross for faithfulness to duty, because she was always a good child and dutiful daughter. He took this occasion also of congratulating Mr O’Neill on behalf of the Sisters and children on the honor the citizens of Kempsey had conferred in appointing him Mayor. He wished Mr and Mrs O’Neill every success in the arduous duties that postion would entail.
Mr O’Neil responded on behalf of his daughter. To inspire the children with a horror of war, he gave a short sketch of a few of the many and dreadful scenes through which Nurse Nance had passed, and held up to their admiring eyes the King’s Cross she has so worthily gained.
A short musical programme by the pupils, then a ringing cheer for the “Welcome Home,” concluded the happy little function.

The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer (NSW), Fri 11 Jul 1919 (p.4):
PERSONAL
“Macleay Argus”: On Monday, the Mayor (Ald P.J. O’Neill) received a telegram from Captain Downing, husband of Nurse Downing (Nurse O’Neill) stating that he had arrived in Sydney on the Ypiringa. He has been at the front between four and five years. His wife is at present nursing influenza patients in Sydney. They are expected up shortly on a visit to Kempsey.

Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW), Thur 4 Sept 1919 (p.22):
THE GOSSIP OF THE WEEK: ROUND ABOUT AUSTRALIA
Captain R.G. Downing, M.C. with bar, B.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), has been recently appointed acting-senior experimentalist to the Board of Agriculture. Leaving Australia with the A.I.F. as a non-com., he fought in France and was awarded the M.C. and promoted lieutenant for excellent work in connection with a machine-gun section. Later on, being severely wounded in an engagement, he had to spend several months in a military hospital recovering. Having recovered, he rejoined his regiment and was awarded a bar to his M.C. and promoted captain for able leadership in an engagement near Amiens. While in England he married Miss Nance O’Neill, of Kempsey, who was awarded a Red Cross decoration for specially able services as a hospital nurse in connection with the A.I.F. in France. Captain Downey was educated at St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill.

The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW), Wed 12 May 1920 (p.5):
BIRTHS
DOWNING (nee Nance O’Neill) – On May 9th, at Redhaven Private Hospital, to Mr and Mrs R.G. Downing, Henry-st., Greenwich Point – a son.

The Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW), Fri 6 May 1927 (p.4):
DEPARTMENTAL CHANGES
Agricultural Experimentalists
Owing to the resignation of Mr R.G. Downing, B.Sc. (Agr.), senior experimentalist to the NSW Department of Agriculture, ………………………….

The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW), Wed 20 Jul 1932 (p.4):
A GOWING BROTHER
Mr Reg. M. Gowing, of the firm of Gowing Bros., Sydney, and brother of Messrs John E. Gowing and Cranley Gowing of this district, is in town this week on a business visit, the first he has paid this coast for 25 years. In the meantime he served throughout the war, and afterwards spent twelve years in the State of Washington, on the Pacific coast, where he invested in orchard country. One of Mr Gowing’s pleasant memories of wartime is his giving away in marriage to Capt. Downey, at London, of Miss Nance O’Neill, daughter of Mr P.J. O’Neill, of Kempsey, then nursing the wounded.

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW), Mon 5 Oct 1942 (p.4):
DUBBO PERSONAL PARS
Mrs R.G. Downing and helpers were at the Red Cross Tea Rooms yesterday and did good business. They served a special poultry and meat luncheon, as well as morning and afternoon teas in aid of the funds.
Mr G Downing, son of Colonel R.G. Downing and Mrs Downing, of “Merton” Dubbo, leaves tonight to join the RAAF.

Catholic Weekly (Sydney, NSW), Thur 6 Feb 1947 (p.15):
Stories From Our Files of 1917
Nurse Nance O’Neill, who was awarded the Royal Red Cross for her services at the front, was trained at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst.
Offering herself for military service abroad at the beginning of the war, Nurse O’Neill was appointed Theatre Sister at the Garrison Military Hospital, Sydney. From there she was transferred to Lemnos and thence to France.
Nurse O’Neill was the second St Vincent’s Hospital nurse to have been honoured.

The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW), Tue 5 Sept 1950 (p.1):
20 LEGACY BOYS ARRIVE FOR DUBBO HOLIDAY
A big thrill for 20 Sydney Legacy boys who are holidaying at Mr R.G. Downing’s property at “Merton,” Dubbo, was when they killed a brown snake on Sunday.
The holiday has been arranged by the Dubbo Contact Group of Legacy, and Dubbo people are assisting in various ways. ………..
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132070098

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Sat Aug 3 1974 (p.124):
DEATHS
DOWNING, Nance – August 2, 1974, dearly loved wife of the late Reg Downing, loved mother of John (deceased), George and Dorothy (Mrs Clouston), fond mother-in-law of Helen and John, and dear grandmother of their children.
Requiescat in pace.
FUNERALS
DOWNING – Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of NANCE DOWNING will be celebrated at the Church of Mater Del, King George’s Road, Blakehurst, on Monday next at 1.30 p.m.
The funeral will leave the Church on conclusion of Mass and prayers for the Northern Suburbs Lawn Cemetery.

*************

Reginald George DOWNING was born 24/5/1891 Forest Lodge, Sydney – the son of George Henry DOWNING and Jessie Theresa BOYD, who married in 1890 in Sydney.
George, late of H.M. Customs, died 5/4/1900 at his residence, Gowan Brae in Paddington, NSW, aged 43. Jessie remarried in 1902 to George BOLAND, and died in January 1928.

Sibling: Emily Josephine (Poppy) b.1893 – Nurse – marr Clarence P DORAN 1922 – d.1939
Half Siblings: Errol GB b.1903; William Noel B b.1906; Jessie Ena B b.1907

Agriculture graduate / Sydney University Scouts

WW1: Enlisted 25/3/1915 NSW – embarked Sydney 13/6/1915 on the A29 Suevic, with the 12th LH (HQ)
TOS of 7th LH 2/10/15 Gallipoli
Returned to Alex on the Huntsgreen 28/12/15
Tsfd to 54th Bn 14/2/16 Tel-el-Kebir. Prom Lieut 1/3/1916.  Emb on Caledonian 19/6/16 – disemb Marseilles 29/6/16.  Wounded (leg & foot) 19-20/7/16 – adm 2nd Eastern Gen Hosp, Brighton, England 31/7/16 – 27/10/16
Awarded the Military Cross 1916: “His fine machine gun work materially assisted in repelling two attacks.”
Proc O/S to France 23/11/16
Emb Boulogne 29/1/1917 for England & reported for duty Tidworth 1/2/17
Prom Capt 1/10/1917. Proc O/S to France 20/6/17.  Wounded 18/11/17
To UK on Leave 30/6/1918 – 23/7/18 (married)
Awarded Bar to MC Sept 1918 Peronne.  Tsf to 56th Bn
Granted leave 11/2/1919 – 11/5/19 to undergo a Post Graduate Course in Soil Physics at Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Returned to Australia on Ypiranga 15/5/1919 – 5/7/1919 (3rd MD – then by rail to 2nd MD)
Appointment terminated 15/11/1919

AMF 1922 until enlistment in WW2 – Lt Col 56th Bn
Senior / Chief Experimentalist of the Department of Agriculture 1920 – resigned 1927
Grazier – “Merton”, Dubbo

Died 1/9/1967 at St George District Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, age 76 – late of Conulla, formerly of Killara & Dubbo